Known Recalls

Model year record

2001 Hyundai Elantra

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 445 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V125000

Suspension: front: control arm

Component
Suspension: front: control arm
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor Company
Vehicles affected
160,904
Reported to NHTSA
2009-04-16
Owners notified
2009-07-17

Defect description

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 160,904 MY 2001-2003 ELANTRA AND MY 2003 TIBURON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT USED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IN THESE JURISDICTIONS MAY RESULT IN INTERNAL CORROSION AND THINNING OF THE STEEL IN THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS TO THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM'S UPPER AND LOWER PANELS BECOME PERFORATED. A PERFORATED FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY FRACTURE BETWEEN ITS BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT AND THE FORWARD AND REARWARD PIVOT ATTACHMENTS TO THE CHASSIS.

Safety risk

THE FRACTURING OF THE CONTROL ARM COULD AN OWNER'S CONTROL OVER THEIR VEHICLE THAT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS FOR CORROSION DAMAGE. IF SPECIFIED LEVELS OF INTERNAL CORROSION DAMAGE ARE FOUND, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS INCORPORATING ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS DO NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND WILL TREAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIALS TO ARREST THE INTERNAL CORROSION PROCESS. THESE PROCEDURES WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V533000

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Component
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
150,541
Reported to NHTSA
2008-10-14
Owners notified
2008-11-30

Defect description

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2001-2002 ELANTRA VEHICLES. MOVEMENT OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS MOUNTED UNDER EACH FRONT SEAT, POSSIBLY CAUSED BY CONTACT FROM MATERIALS PLACED UNDER THE SEAT, MAY RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE THAT WOULD CAUSE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS AND MAY PREVENT SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS AIR BAGS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CLIPS AND REVISED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS ATTACHMENTS UNDER THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER'S SEATS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2008, AND WILL BE SENT OUT IN SIX MAILINGS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V532000

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Component
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
78,369
Reported to NHTSA
2008-10-14
Owners notified
2008-11-30

Defect description

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2001 ELANTRA VEHICLES. IF A LIQUID IS SPILLED IN THE AREA OF THE CUPHOLDER ON THE CENTER CONSOLE, IT MAY SEEP THROUGH THE CONSOLE OPENING FOR THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER AND THEN DRIP ONTO THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. THE SPILLED LIQUID MAY CONTAMINATE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE AND ITS ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO THE AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION MAY AFFECT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS AND MAY PREVENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS AIR BAGS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR. THE RECALL OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2008, AND LETTERS WILL BE SENT OUT IN SIX MAILINGS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V496000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO
Vehicles affected
1,993
Reported to NHTSA
2003-12-03
Owners notified
2004-01-22

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.

Safety risk

CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY RESULT IN REAR BRAKE TUBE WEAR AND CORROSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE REAR BRAKE TUBES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-633-5151.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V257000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
312,292
Reported to NHTSA
2003-07-22
Owners notified
2003-10-13

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES PASS BEHIND THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER. TWO STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO THE CROSSMEMBER. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), THE REAR BRAKE TUBES COULD CONTACT BOTH STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS. ON VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH ABS, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES MAY CONTACT ONLY THE LEFT MOUNTING BRACKET. CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING BRACKETS COULD CAUSE WEAR AND CORROSION THAT COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.

Safety risk

FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES SO THEY DO NOT CONTACT THE MOUNTING BRACKETS, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS TO CONTROL THE LOCATION OF THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE TUBES IN THE AREAS WHERE CONTACT WITH THE MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY HAVE OCCURRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V332000

Air bags: side/window

Component
Air bags: side/window
Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
972
Reported to NHTSA
2000-10-17
Owners notified
2000-10-31

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM SIDE AIR BAG SATELLITE SENSORS INSTALLED WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED, CAUSING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS TO NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Safety risk

NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A CRASH WHERE SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS INTENDED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO SATELLITE SENSORS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags5273,000 mi
Air bags: frontal3940,000 mi
Suspension35102,000 mi
Suspension: front2080,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1956,200 mi
Steering1788,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm1788,000 mi
Air bags: side/window1378,046 mi
Electrical system13102,783 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine111,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm11102,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission935,000 mi
Structure: body7120,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights615,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system6138,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic627,694 mi
Structure632,000 mi
Structure: body: door66,000 mi
Structure: frame and members699,000 mi
Unknown or other667,198 mi
Wheels693,000 mi
Service brakes590,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip521,800 mi
Vehicle speed control555,045 mi
Electrical system: wiring429,700 mi
Engine4126,100 mi
Engine and engine cooling460,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline427,694 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar410 mi
Tires473,000 mi
Visibility495,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls435,000 mi
Equipment31,000 mi
Exterior lighting380,000 mi
Seat belts396,357 mi
Seats37,364 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings31,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control340,000 mi
Visibility: windshield3—
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module243,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings278,000 mi
Power train269,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)28,000 mi
Seat belts: front262,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor242,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields299,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system269,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer235,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator140,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition17,364 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1120,000 mi
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1110,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Equipment: electrical127,694 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch135,700 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors140,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Latches/locks/linkages117,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch167,198 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Parking brake1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)126,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Seat belts: front: retractor170,000 mi
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, air: controls: foot control/valve159,900 mi
Service brakes, air: slack adjusters: automatic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light119,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc11,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1—
Steering: column1—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Steering: rack and pinion139,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint167,198 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint167,198 mi
Suspension: rear18,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal140,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables126,588 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core151,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 2000 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.